Pope Airmen to honor fallen member

Published Feb. 21, 2007

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Airmen at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., are preparing to honor a pararescueman assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron who was among those killed in an MH-47 special operations helicopter crash Feb. 18 in Afghanistan.

Tech. Sgt. Scott E. Duffman, 32, of Albuquerque, N.M., and seven others were killed while 14 were injured when the helicopter crashed.

There were 22 coalition members on board the MH-47 who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

"Scott Duffman was an exceptional pararescueman, friend, husband and father. He loved his profession and loved his family," said Lt. Col. Robert Armfield, the 24th STS commander. "Losing him is a tragedy, but we are all consoled by the fact that he died strong, doing what he loved -- going into harm's way so others may live."

The helicopter pilot reported a sudden loss of power and control just prior to the crash, according to a coalition press release.

The 24th STS falls under the 720th Special Tactics Group, an Air Force Special Operations Command unit at Hurlburt Field.

A private memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. March 1 at Pope AFB.